Package-lifting device.



G- L. KAUFMAN.

PAGKAGE LIFTING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 5,1914.

1,123,751., Patented Jan..5,1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1v 31mm mu f/mam UN/ women G. L. KAUFMAN. PACKAGE LIFTING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5, 1914. 1,123,?1 Patented Jan.5,1915.

2 SHEETB-SHEET 2.

671L1 1 ufman I CHARLES L. KAUFMAN, OFI-IILLSBORO, OREGON.

PACKAGE-LIFTING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

Application filed March 5, 1914. Serial No. 822,707.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, CHARLES L. KAUF- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hillsboro, in the county of Washington and State of Oregon, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Package- Lifting Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in store service apparatus and resides in the provision of a package lifting device which will enable expeditious removal of packages from high shelves in stores thus eliminating the necessity of the clerk to mount a ladder to remove the package from the high shelf and the use of hooks to pull the package from the shelf and then permit the operator of the hook to catch the package.

An important object of my invention is to provide a package lifting device of the character described which is simple and inexpensive and formed of such material as to make the device extremely light yet strong and durable.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a package lifting device which operates as tongs and consists of a handle and gripping arms pivoted thereon and adapted to be operated by means of a sliding sleeve arranged upon the handle and operatively connected with the gripping arms through the medium of links and levers.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described which is provided with novel means whereby upon the release of the spring catch the gripping jaws will be automatically moved out of gripping engagement with the package or article to be operated upon.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a package lifting device of the character described which consists of few parts, is light so that easy operation and handling of the device may be had, strong and durable, and extremely cheap to manufacture.

The above and additional objects are accomplished by such means as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification and then more particularly pointed out in the claims which are appended hereto and form application.

With reference to the drawings, wherein T have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention as it is reduced to practice, and throughout the several views of which similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device showing it in assembled position with the gripping jaws in normal, open position, Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken centrally through the device, Fig. 3 is a horizontal or transverse sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. l, and Fig. etis a vertical fragmentar 7 sectional view taken on line 4l of Fig. 1 illustrating the sliding sleeve and cooperating spring catch.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, the numeral 1 designates as an entirety an elongated handle which is formed of some suitable light and strong material and has mounted upon end thereof an approximately T -shaped supporting plate designated 2 as an entirety. This plate 2 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured upon the handle 1 in such a way that the head portion 3 thereof is disposed transversely of the handle 1 and inwardly with respect to the adjacent end thereof.

Pivotally mounted intermediate their ends as at l upon the outer portion of the T-shaped supporting plate 2 are spaced gripping arms 5 and 6 which extend from their pivoted points in a divergent plane and are provided with enlarged gripping jaws 7 at their outer ends. These gripping jaws 7 are disposed angularly with relation to the divergent portions of the arms 5 and 6 and in preferably the same vertical plane as the handle 1. The inwardly extending portions 8 and 9 of the gripping arms 5 and 6 are arranged to lie upon the supporting plate 2 and terminate or extend at a point approximately centrally of the inner and outer edges of the head portion 3 of the plate for a purpose which will be later more fully disclosed. A reinforcing bar 10 is secured intermediate its ends and at its ends by bolts or other suitable fastening means 11 upon the outer edge of the T-shaped supporting plate 2 in such a way that the arms 5 and 6 are interposed between it and the plate 2. The end securing means 11 for the bar 10 serve as pivot pins for the arms 5 and 6.

a part of this A helical retractile spring 12 is secured at its terminals to the portions 8 and 9 of the arms 5 and 6 at a point approximately centrally of the ends of the portions 8 and 9 of the arms 5 and 6, and below the pivot points at of the arms 5 and 6. This spring 12 serves to normally hold the gripping arms 5 and 6 in open position as illustrated in Fig. 1 in the drawings. A brace or guide rod 13 with offset angular terminals 14 is secured at its ends transversely of and upon the T-shaped supporting plate 2. This bar 13 is arranged along the outer edge of the head portion 3 of the plate 2 and serves as a guide for the inner end of the portions 8 and 9 of the arms 5 and 6 and to reinforce or strengthen the structure.

Mounted upon the head portion 3 of the supporting plate 2 are levers 15 and 16. These levers are approximately L-shaped and pivoted as at 17 intermediate their ends upon the head portion 3 of the plate 2 and ends of a brace or connecting bar 18. This bar 18 is secured at its ends upon the pivot 17 for the levers 15 and 16 and is provided centrally of its ends with an angular apertured securing tongue 19. Suitable fastenin g means may be inserted through the apertured securing tongue 19 for the purpose of securing the bar 18 firmly in position. This bar serves to reinforce the structure and provides an eflicient, firm pivot bearing for the levers 15 and 16. The shorter arms or portions 20 of the levers 15 and 16 are enlarged and each provided with a projection or pin 21 that is adapted to engage the inner edge of the lower terminals of the portions 8 and 9 when the levers are operated so that the gripping arms 5 and 6 are moved toward each other after a manner which will be later more fully described. The inner terminals of the portions 8 and 9 of the gripping arms extend considerably inwardly beyond the pins 20 or projection 21. The longer arms or portions of the levers 15 and 16 are normally disposed in a horizontal plane with relation to the vertical axis of the device.

Slidably mounted longitudinally of and upon the'inner end of the handle portion 1 is a rod 22. This rod 22 is slidably held upon the handle 1 by means of the U-shaped bracket 23 that is secured upon the handle.

The inner terminal of the rod 22 is opera.- tively connected with a cylindrical sleeve 2&1 that is slidable upon the handle 1 by means of a U-shaped connecting piece 25 secured at its ends by suitable fastening means to the outer edge of the sleeve and connected in some suitable manner centrally of its ends with the inner terminal of the rod 22. The outer end of the rod 22 is pivotally connected as at 26 with the ends of link rods designated 27 and 28. These link rods extend outwardly in a divergent plane and are pivotally connected at their other terminals as at 29 with the outer end of the longer portions of the levers 15 and 16.

It will be readily seen with reference to the foregoing description and accompanying drawings that when the sleeve 21 is pulled inwardly with relation to the handle, a pull is communicated to the levers 15 and 16 through the medium of the rod 22 and links 27 and 28. This action serves to pull the longer portions or arms of the levers 15 and 16 inwardly toward the handle 1 thus causing the pins 21 on the portions 20 of the levers to engage the inner ends of the gripping arm portions 8 and 9 and force the jaws 7 toward each other. The jaws 7 are moved toward each other by the action described against the tension of the spring 12. It will be readily seen that by means of the operation described, a package, article or the like may be grasped by the jaws 7 and lifted or removed from a shelf.

As a means for holding the jaws 7 into gripping engagement with an article to be lifted or removed, I provide a spring operated catch designated 30 as an entirety that is carried upon the sliding sleeve 24 and designed to cooperate with a rack bar 31 that is secured upon the handle 1 longitudinally thereof. The spring operated catch 30 consists of a dog that is pivoted within a recess 33 formed adjacent the outer edge of the sleeve 24. One end of this dog 32 is designed to cooperate with the teeth on the rack bar 31 and is held normally in engagement with the rack bar by means of a flat spring 34:, that is secured at one terminal in any suitable manner to the dog 32 and at its other terminal engages the sleeve 24-.

A pin or other inwardly extending projection 37 is carried upon the sleeve 24. This prevents rotation of the sleeve upon the handle 1.

In operation when it is desired to remove an article from a high shelf or otherwise use the device the dog 32 is moved out of engagement with the rack bar and held in such position until the operator can slide the sleeve 24: inwardly suliiciently to force the jaws 7 into gripping engagement with the object to be operated upon. \Vhen the jaws 7 are in the desired gripping engagement with the object to be moved or lifted, the operator may release his hold upon the dog 32 thus the spring 30 forces the dog into engagement with the teeth on the rack bar and serves to hold the gripping jaws 7 into secured gripping en agement with the article to be lifted or moved, against the tension of the spring 12. \Vhen it is desired to release the jaws 7 the operator pushes the dog 32 downwardly out of engagement with the rack bar 31 and the spring 12 forces the jaws 7 into open position automatically.

It will be readily seen with reference to the foregoing description and accompanying drawings that I have provided simple and inexpensive means which may be readily operated by reason of its light and simple construction to remove articles from places that are inaccessible such as high shelves in stores.

In reduction to practice, I have found that the form of my invention, illustrated in the drawings and referred to in the above description as the preferred embodiment, is the most eflicient and practical; yet realizing that the conditions concurrent with the adoption of my device will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasize the fact that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, when required, without sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention, as set forth.

What is claimed is 1. A package lifting device comprising a handle, a T-shaped supporting plate carried upon one end of said handle, a pair of gripping members pivoted on said T-shaped supporting plate, said gripping members being pivoted intermediate their ends and having their inner ends lying upon said supporting plate, a pair of levers pivoted upon said supporting plate, pins carried by said levers and engaging the inner edges of the gripping members, a sleeve slidable upon said handle, a bar slidably connected with said handle and secured at one end to said sleeve, a pair of links pivotally connected with said bar and said levers, means carried upon said sleeve for holding the gripping members in adjusted position, a rack bar carried upon said handle and arranged to cooperate with said last named means and a retractile spring connected at its terminals to said gripping members at points spaced inwardly from the pivotal points thereof.

2. A package lifting device comprising a handle, a supporting plate carried upon one end of said handle, a pair of gripping arms pivoted intermediate their ends upon said supporting plate, said arms being disposed in divergent planes from their pivot points and enlarged at their outer end to provide gripping jaws, said arms being extended from their pivot points inwardly and lying in engagement with the supporting plate, a guide bar carried upon said supporting plate and engaging the innermost portions of said arms, means mounted upon the handle for moving the arms into gripping position, means for holding said gripping arms in adjusted position, and a spring connected with the inner terminals of said arms to move the arms in open position upon the releasing action of said last named means.

3. A package lifting device comprising a handle, a supporting plate secured to said handle, gripping arms pivoted intermediate their ends upon said supporting plate and extending outwardly from their pivotal points in a divergent plane and enlarged at their free ends to provide gripping jaws, said arms extending inwardly with relation to their pivotal points and lying upon said supporting plate, a pair of L-shaped levers pivoted on said supporting plate, projections carried upon the shorter arms of the L-shaped levers and engaging the inner edges of the inner portions of the gripping arms, a sleeve slidable upon said handle, a rod slidable upon said handle and connected at one terminal with said sleeve, a pair of link members pivoted at the other terminal of said rod and at the outer ends of the longer arms of the L-shaped levers, a guide bar mounted upon said supporting plate and engaging the inner portions of the gripping arms adjacent the inner terminals thereof, a rack bar carried upon said handle and arranged adjacent to said sleeve, a spring catch carried by said sleeve and normally engaging said rack bar to hold said gripping arms in adjusted position, and a retractile spring secured at its terminals to the gripping arms adjacent the inner terminals thereof for returning the arms to open position upon the movement of said spring catch out of engagement with said rack bar.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES L. KAUFMAN.

Witnesses DAVID Kix s'ru, E. Rosovsnv.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

